Turkey Begins Drone Flights Over Northern Syria 'Safe Zone'

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The Ministry of National Defense has released a statement on the efforts to establish a "safe zone" with the US in northern Syria.

"As part of the Safe Zone that is planned to be established in northern Syria in coordination with the US, the efforts to put the Joint Operations Center that will be established in Urfa in operation are continuing. Our unmanned air vehicles have begun to carry out duties in the region," the statement said.

7th Corps Commander Lieutenant General Sinan Yayla visited the 3rd Border Regiment in Akçakale, Urfa. He is expected to meet with the US officials who came to Turkey on Monday (August 12) to work on the safe zone.

Turkey and the US reached an agreement on August 7 to establish a "safe zone" in the areas held by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria, where the US also has several military bases. Details on the area that will be included in the safe zone have not been disclosed.

While the SDF has been the main ally of the US in the fight against ISIS, Turkey views it as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group that is designated as a terrorist organization by both Turkey and the US. The SDF currently controls more than a third of the Syrian land. (RT/VK)